Food halls
As rents continue to rise and profits squeezed as a result, succeeding in the UK on-trade is becoming increasingly cutthroat, leading to the demise of Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire last summer. One solution for savvy restaurateurs is doing away with a bricks and mortar venue and setting up shop in a food hall instead.
From Pergola in Olympia and Paddington to Flat Iron Square and Vinegar Yard in London Bridge, food halls are having a moment in the capital, and provide the perfect solution for big groups of diners with an array of dietary requirements.
One thriving newcomer is Market Hall, which now has sites in Victoria, Fulham and the West End, allowing diners to enjoy single dishes from different restaurants Taste London style. With Brexit looming, trading conditions won’t get any easier this year, so we predict more start-ups will graduate from street food stalls to food halls rather than risking the expense of opening their own bricks and mortar venues.
